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Samardzija dinged by Pirates as Cubs fall 4-0

Published on NewsOK
Modified: June 12, 2014 at 11:43 pm •
Published: June 12, 2014

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jeff Samardzija has some advice his pitching brethren when it comes to facing streaking Andrew McCutchen.

Don't.

The way the Chicago Cubs' ace looks at it, trying to get the Pittsburgh Pirates' star out at the moment only opens yourself up for disaster.

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh Thursday, June 12, 2014. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

"The next team that comes in here is probably better off pitching around him and letting him go to first base," Samardzija said.

Samardzija tried — and failed — to deal with the scorching McCutchen in Pittsburgh's 4-0 win on Thursday night. The reigning National League MVP doubled twice and drove in two runs as the Pirates cruised.

"I'm sure Jeff would to have those pitches back but McCutchen is also a good hitter and he's not missing right now," Chicago manager Rick Renteria said.

Not by a long shot.

McCutchen broke it open with a two-run double in the fifth off Samardzija (2-6) and is batting .428 (18 of 42) with 15 extra-base hits in June.

"I'm seeing the ball and I get a pitch to hit and I hit it and it's finding the gaps and that's basically what's happening right now for me," McCutchen said. "Things are just working out right now and I want to continue to stay where I'm at."

Russell Martin also doubled twice for the Pirates and rookie Gregory Polanco got a hit in the third straight game since his call-up. The Pirates had seven doubles in all, their highest total since a win over Houston in July 2010. Edinson Volquez (4-5) pitched seven effective innings to win for the third time in his last five starts.

Luis Valbuena had two doubles for the Cubs, who went 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position to fall for the fourth time in five games. The Cubs have scored two runs or fewer in nine of Samardzija's 14 starts.

Chicago's troubles weren't just on offense on a night the worst road team in baseball fell to 0-9-3 in series played away from Wrigley Field this year. Samardzija struggled against a team that seems to be rounding into form behind its star center fielder.

"I felt I had good command and they didn't let me get away with any mistakes," said Samardzija, who gave up four runs on nine hits in six-plus innings, walking two and striking out seven. "I put a couple of cutters out over the plate to McCutchen and he made me pay."